Association between hepatitis B infection and elevated liver stiffness among HIV-infected adults in Lusaka, Zambia

Vinikoor, Michael J; Mulenga, Lloyd; Siyunda, Alice; Musukuma, Kalo; Chilengi, Roma; Moore, Carolyn Bolton; Chi, Benjamin H; Davies, Mary-Ann; Egger, Matthias; Wandeler, Gilles (2016). Association between hepatitis B infection and elevated liver stiffness among HIV-infected adults in Lusaka, Zambia. Tropical medicine and international health TM&IH, 21(11), pp. 1435-1441. Blackwell Science 10.1111/tmi.12764

Preview

Text Vinikoor_et_al-2016-Tropical_Medicine_&_International_Health.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (288kB) | Preview

OBJECTIVE

To describe the liver disease epidemiology among HIV-infected individuals in Zambia.

METHODS

We recruited HIV-infected adults (≥18 years) at antiretroviral therapy initiation at two facilities in Lusaka. Using vibration controlled transient elastography we assessed liver stiffness, a surrogate for fibrosis/cirrhosis, and analyzed liver stiffness measurements (LSM) according to established thresholds (>7.0 kPa for significant fibrosis and >11.0 kPa for cirrhosis). All participants underwent standardized screening for potential causes of liver disease including chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus co-infection, herbal medicine, and alcohol use. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with elevated liver stiffness.

RESULTS

Among 798 HIV-infected patients, 651 had a valid LSM (median age, 34 years; 53% female). HBV co-infection (12%) and alcohol use disorders (41%) were common and hepatitis C virus co-infection (<1%) was rare. According to LSM, 75 (12%) had significant fibrosis and 13 (2%) had cirrhosis. In multivariable analysis, HBV co-infection as well as male sex, increased age, and WHO clinical stage 3 or 4 were independently associated with LSM >7.0 kPa (all P<0.05). HBV co-infection was the only independent risk factor for LSM >11.0 kPa. Among HIV-HBV patients, those with elevated ALT and HBV viral load were more likely to have significant liver fibrosis than patients with normal markers of HBV activity.

CONCLUSIONS

HBV co-infection was the most important risk factor for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and should be diagnosed early in HIV care to optimize treatment outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

92 since deposited on 05 Sep 2016
17 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item